Distant Mountain Battle Song

Chapter 162 Courage needs high-end weapons to cultivate.

More than eight hundred warriors automatically came to guard the Han Dynasty below the Iron Enclosure Pass.

Qin Shu only selected eight hundred people.

These eight hundred men, like him, were unwilling to leave Tiewei Pass, yet they did not want to waste their lives here. They had long wanted to fight the Japanese to their hearts' content, and regardless of victory or defeat, they would have fulfilled their long-held ideals.

Unfortunately, they were too poor.

When Yun Ce saw Qin Shu, he saw Qin Shu looking at the supplies that Cao Shi had brought with great affection. The longing in his eyes almost gave Yun Ce the illusion that this guy would suddenly rob him at any moment.

He tossed him a wine jug, hoping to ease his thoughts of robbery. Unexpectedly, after receiving the wine, Qin Shu did not drink it but returned it to Yun Ce, hoping that Yun Ce could send the wine to Tiewei Pass, which needed supplies more.

The message was quite clear: he craved supplies, and not for himself.

If it's not for myself, then for whom is it for?
After seeing the shacks outside the Iron Enclosure Pass, Yun Ce understood that Qin Shu likely needed supplies and provisions to feed his army.

Qin Shu was very poor and couldn't afford to support a team. This team seemed to already exist. As an outstanding scion of a top family, how could Yun Ce possibly let go of this opportunity to rob someone? Moreover, it was only natural that he would pay for the poor's work and take the biggest benefits.

This logic seems reasonable and self-consistent; only God knows whether it's fair or not.

Yun Ce wasn't the only one who noticed Qin Shu's predicament; Cao Kun, who was beside Yun Ce, also saw it. Unfortunately, he was a step too slow. The instant Yun Ce threw the wine jug, Cao Kun could only swallow his saliva and help Yun Ce by playing a supporting role.

Taking away the best resources that the poor have managed is itself a way to be a benefactor, something the rich love to do.

Just like Yun Ce at this moment, facing the eight hundred iron-willed men standing tall, he felt as if he were in a dream. Especially when he was most lacking in help, suddenly having eight hundred heroes at his command was just as lucky as a pie falling from the sky and hitting him on the head.

Even though the little figure that Yun Ce conjured in his mind was jumping, rolling, and urinating upside down, his face remained calm.

"In this battle, life and death are uncertain, and we are unwilling to back down from the fight."

As Yun Ce's voice fell, the eight hundred burly men remained motionless.

"I am the general for this battle for three reasons: first, I am brave; second, I am wise; and third, I will be the first to step into the battlefield and the last to leave, never abandoning any brother who is in danger, and never abandoning any brother who is still alive."

Now, anyone who doubts my martial prowess can step forward and challenge me.

After Yun Ce finished speaking, he took the initiative to step back, leaving an open space in front of the group.

At this moment, Qin Shu, along with Zuo Chong, He Qingfang, and several other key figures, came out. They carried the heads of Japanese soldiers in their hands, said nothing, simply placed the ten heads at Yun Ce's feet, and then bowed and withdrew.

Yun Ce stepped over the tower of heads and shouted, "These are the ones killed today, they don't count. Only the ones killed starting tomorrow will count as military merits."

When Yun Ce spoke earlier, these people just stared at him coldly. But when he said that only the enemies killed tomorrow would count as military merit, several cheers broke out in the previously quiet ranks.

Seeing this, Cao's old steward, who was sitting in the carriage, sighed and ordered Cao Ling, the leader of the warriors, to drive the carriage back to Tiewei Pass.

"Yun Ce's gains on this trip may be greater than what my Cao family gained at Tiewei Pass," Cao Ling said softly, sitting on the carriage shaft.

"There will always be some heroes and valiant men in this world who are worthy of our admiration."

"Uncle, I mean, since the supplies and provisions all come from the Cao family, is it because..."

“I’m glad you came up with this idea, but you need to understand the root of the matter. Up until now, the eldest son’s approach has been the best.”

"They gave away so many supplies and provisions for nothing, just to gain Yun Ce's gratitude?"

The old steward said with exasperation, "Let me ask you, what are these eight hundred people up to? What is their purpose in gathering here?"

Cao Lingdao said, "Kill the Japanese devils."

The old steward cast his gaze toward the Gobi Desert outside the window and said leisurely, "If I were twenty years younger, I would compete with Yun Ce for the position of general in this army."

Leading this army filled with the will to die, we fought a great battle against the Guifang tribe on this Gobi Desert... Regardless of victory or defeat, it was the most exhilarating experience for a person, a warrior.

It's a pity I'm old; what a shame.

“Uncle, I’m here for you. I can do it too.” Seeing that the old steward said he was too old to go, Cao Ling, who had been thinking about it for a long time, quickly volunteered.

"You're no good, you're terrible."

Cao Ling was somewhat indignant when he heard the old steward's assessment that left him no face at all.

"Don't be unconvinced. These eight hundred people are now like eight hundred ferocious beasts. Since they are ferocious beasts, the leader of the beasts must be the most ferocious one. Just based on this, you are not qualified to be their leader."

This journey to the wilderness, fighting on the territory of the Ghost Fang, means facing their encirclement and pursuit. Surviving in the cracks will be a true test of a general's wisdom, and I have never seen the wisdom of a leader in you. Forget it, the sacrifice is too great. This opportunity belongs to the impoverished; Yun Ce, that impoverished man, can risk everything for this opportunity. We, the Cao family, cannot.”

Yun Ce ordered that the wine and water brought by Cao Kun be put into water jugs and given to each person. Then, he lit a fire in the open space. Under the watchful eyes of Qin Shu and the others, he took out some grass and grains, added salt water and kneaded them. At this time, the fire turned into charcoal fire.

He tore off a piece of dough, stretched it thin, and threw it onto the charcoal fire. In the blink of an eye, the dough began to expand. Yun Ce flipped the dough over, and when black spots appeared on the surface, he took it out. A grass-fed pancake was now complete.

Yun Ce handed the freshly baked straw-grain cakes to Qin Shu and said, "Have you learned how to make them? If you have, then take some people to make them, and give each person ten catties of these dry rations."

Qin Shu took a bite of the grass-fed cake and found it tasted great. Without saying much, he took He Qingfang and Zuo Chong to test how to make this simple and convenient dry food.

"Are you really leaving tomorrow?" Cao Kun asked, eating the flatbread that Yun Ce had just baked.

"Yes, we can't let our hard-won courage dissipate easily. Even if there are any problems, we can adjust them after we enter the wasteland."

"Making adjustments at that time would probably be a life-or-death matter."

“It’s inevitable.”

Cao Kun stood up and patted Yun Ce on the shoulder, saying, "You really are a very interesting person. I hope you can come back alive. Remember, we will have a lot of cooperation in the future."

Yun Ce used a wooden stick to pick a freshly baked flatbread out of the charcoal fire and said firmly to Cao Kun, "Don't worry, I definitely won't die."

Watching Cao Kun leave, Yun Ce couldn't help but sigh. If only that old guy Yun Linchuan had made great achievements for the Han Dynasty, he might be even more impressive than Cao Kun now.

Although everyone says, "Relying on heaven, earth, or ancestors doesn't make you a hero," when you're truly striving, who wouldn't want a family background like Cao Kun's or ancestors like Yun Linchuan's?

What are the plans for tomorrow?

After Cao Kun left, Qin Shu came to Yun Ce's side and began to assume his role as deputy general.

"Today, I killed a Japanese scout squad about twenty miles to the north. If nothing unexpected happens, the Japanese will send out an even larger scout squad tomorrow to investigate that area. I think our first battle after leaving Tiewei Pass should be there, to ambush the scout squad."

Seeing that Yun Ce already had a plan, Qin Shu did not object and continued, "I think we should keep the grain, side boxes and other supplies sent by the Cao family. We should each carry ten days' worth of dry rations and enter the Gui Fang region lightly."

Yun Ce laughed and said, "That's how it should be, but we can't abandon the warm clothing. It would be best if we could provide two horses."

Qin Shu said, "We can use our surplus armor, rations, and supplies to trade with others for large horned horses. That should be enough for one person to ride two horses."

"If only all eight hundred of them could be equipped with Thunder Smoke Beasts..."

Qin Shu glanced at Yun Ce, who was lost in thought, and asked, "Do you know how much money and supplies it would take to raise an 800-strong all-Thunder Smoke Beast cavalry?"

Yun Ce waved his hand and said, "I don't care. I'll get you eight hundred Thunder Smoke Beasts in the future. How you feed them is your business."

Qin Shu believed that Yun Ce could kill many Japanese soldiers, but he clearly did not believe that Yun Ce could bring him eight hundred Thunder Smoke Beasts. Wild Thunder Smoke Beasts were not only violent, but also moved like the wind, and even if they were stopped, they would not be able to defeat them.

The Thunder Smoke Beast he kept... Forget it, he never even dared to hope for such a thing; it shouldn't exist in his life at all.

"We'll set off at dawn tomorrow, arrive at the battlefield ahead of time, and try an ambush first to boost everyone's morale. After we've become familiar with the Japanese's tactics, we'll advance slowly."

"Okay, I will inform everyone."

Are there many female warriors in the army?

"Thirty-nine people."

"How's their fighting strength?"

“Those who can come to Iron Enclosure Pass are not bad in martial arts, but He Qingfang is the best. She is the best at using crossbows and is also very agile.”

I suggested that she be the captain of the women's team.

"I agree, she's the one."

"I've also assigned you a ten-man personal guard, with Zuo Chong as the captain, how about that?"

"I don't need a personal guard, but they can be the army's reserve force. They will be deployed wherever the battle turns badly. In addition, I will equip them with a new weapon specifically designed for breaking through enemy lines."

As Yun Ce spoke, he took a grenade the size of a human head from the saddlebag of his chestnut horse and handed it to Qin Shu.

"Light the fuse, then throw it as far as you can, or it will kill you too."

(End of this chapter)